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News in Brief

FIVE people escaped injury when two houses were damaged in an arson attack in Co Down early yesterday. A woman in her fifties raised the alarm after a blaze began in an oil tank at the back of her home in Banbridge. The family of four next door escaped before the fire spread to both properties. In Salthill, Galway city, 24 people were evacuated from a block of flats after fire broke out early yesterday. Residents took to the balconies as smoke and flames spread.

Bad weather hampers hunt for climber

THE search is continuing for a Swedish mountaineer missing since Tuesday on McGillicuddy’s Reeks in Co Kerry. The Kerry mountain rescue team searched an area of about 100 sq km with the help of an Irish coastguard rescue helicopter for Olos Janson, 22, an experienced climber who learnt hiking skills while in the Swedish army.